Gate-latch



(No Model.)

M. M. MOORE.

GATE LATCH.

Patented Aug. 2'7, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE,

MELVILLE M. MOORE, OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,797, dated August27, 1889.

Application filed June 21, 1888. Serial No. 277,797. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MELVILLE M. MOORE, of Springfield, in the county ofGreene and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Gate-Latches; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usesame.

My invention relates to an improvement in latches for gates, and has forits object to provide a gate-latch by means of which a gate hinged toswing from either or both sides is automatically locked.

A further object is to produce a gate-latch which shall be simple inconstruct-ion, effective in operation, cheap to manufacture, occupy butlittle space, and present a neat appearance.

-WVith these Objects in view my invention I consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and peculiar combinations and arrange ments ofparts, as will be hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View of a gate, showing myimproved latch applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a view of a gatepost, showingmy improved latch adapted to a gate which swings but one way. Fig. 3 isa cross-sectional view of the block and reciprocating latching-bolts.

A indicates a gate-post having a recess a cutin its inner face; Locatedcentrally within this recess is a block B, of wood or other suitablematerial, provided with two vertical perforations c for the reception ofvertically-sliding bolts 0 (J. The bolts 0 C are furnished at theirupper ends with shoulders (I, which project slightly from the topsurface of the block, and thus provide means by which the bolts mayberaised by hand when itis desired to open the gate. The lower ends of thebolts 0 are beveled in opposite directions and adapted to bear upon thetop surface of a block D, secured in the recess a. The ends of thisblock are beveled outwardly and serve as guides for a locking-pin E,carried by the gate F. The pin E may be screw-threaded throughout aportion of its length and screwed into the gate, or it maybe secured tothe gate in any preferred manner. \Vith a gate adapted to swing but oneway the recess a may be made to extend only a portion of the width ofthe post, as shown in Fig. 2. The gate F will preferably be hung so asto shut of its own accord when released. hen the gate swings shut, thepin E will strike the beveled end of one of the bolts 0 and raise thesame, being prevented from passing the post by engagement with the otherbolt 0. The bolt which has been raised will then fall by gravity, andthe pin E will be retained between the two bolts.

Should the gate become sprung from any cause, and the pin E thus belowered out of direct alignment with the bolts 0, the beveled ends ofthe block F will guide thepin in alignment with the beveled ends of thebolts 0.

By the'employment of a gate-latch as above set forth springs andpivot-pins are dispensed with, and the device thus rendered very simpleand not liable to get out of order.

Slight changes might be made in the constructive details of my inventionwithout departing from the spirit thereof; hence I do not wish to limitmyself to the precise details of construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The combinatiomwith a vertically-movable angular bolt provided with alateral projection and a beveled lower end, and a block or casing havinga seat corresponding in shape to the cross-section of the bolt, so as topermit the bolt to slide therein, but prevent it from moving laterally,of a block located below the bolt and having a flat upper face, forminga rest for the pin or bolt on the gate, and a beveled face which forms aguide for the pin or bolt on the gate, substantially as set forth. f

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

MELVILLE M. MOORE. -Witnesses:

H. T. BENNETT, CHAS. P. OLLIS.

